Various Firestore questions

Frank Dago · July 20th, 2005, 07:53 PM

I have opened the case and find the connection is very delicate and my question is what is the proper way to remove the connector (tools or hand)?

Frank Dago · July 21st, 2005, 08:40 PM

Is it ok to unplug the fan ? As it is way too loud even after FWare upgrade.

Mark A. Foley · July 26th, 2005, 07:09 PM

Does anyone know where I can get some of the clear/soft plastic protective sheeting that come on the Firestore from the factory? Like to keep the face in good shape as much as possible while being handled in the field

Ray Liffen · August 4th, 2005, 02:20 PM

For early adopters, here's a way that costs UK £8.99 (about US$14?).

Early adopters got the FS-4 holster as part of the package. The holster is threaded to take a tripod screw.

Buy the Hama Shoe Mount (£8.99 from Keene www.keene.co.uk ) which takes you from tripod threaded screw to camcorder hot shoe. The Shoe Mount has two knurled locking nuts so the Mount can be locked to the holster and then to the camera once clipped into the hot shoe.

Used directly, the FS-4 will lie flat, and parallel to the camera body, but I generally use an L-bracket so the FS-4 will stand vertically (easier to check the blue screen)

Ray Liffen

Rick Sutter · August 22nd, 2005, 02:52 PM

I have looked a few places in my manual and online and not sure if I am able to capture the TC when I use my FS-4 and my TRV900 camera. Is this possible or is time code only available with the Pro FS-4's?

Mark Whittle · September 1st, 2005, 09:44 PM

Yesterday was my biggest shoot with the FS-4 so far after several shorter shoots. I use it with an XL1s and roll tape as a backup.

There are two issues concerning me. The first is sometimes the unit doesn't power up, causing a significant delay while everyone waits for me to try again. I don't know whether it is me holding the button down for too long (or not long enough), or my unit has an intermittent fault.

Secondly, when it does power up, sometimes it is in the right mode (synchro slave) and ready to go, in which case the cam VF indicates [STOP] mode. Other times, the camera indicates the FS-4 isn't ready and when I go through the menu on the FS-4 it is back on local mode.

I always power up the cam first as recommended so I don't know why this happens. It causes many annoying delays and also I end up recording shots on tape that don't make it onto FS-4.

Yesterday I was waiting for chickens to hatch and missed the "money shot" due to this.

The other major issue (I'm sorry, this makes 3) is the battery life. I wouldn't be so worried about power up/down problems if the battery would last. I know a longer life battery is now available but for those of us who have the holder mounted to our cameras, this holder won't accommodate the bigger battery.

May I suggest that a bigger holder be made and supplied with the bigger battery when purchased by those of us who bought the field kit?

Chris Frisella · September 25th, 2005, 11:03 AM

I use my FS-4 (not pro) with an XL2, and edit in FCP 4.5. When I record to 'Quicktime 24p' roughly the last 10 seconds of video becomes corrupt or something. They play back as a checkerboard of many different colors. The audio still plays through, it's just the video that's messed.

Anyone else experience this? Any known fixes?

Thanks

Chris

Erwin van Doorne · September 28th, 2005, 02:45 PM

There's a strange bug in my FS-4. The charge light is always on when a battery is attached. It shines in orange-red and the only way to stop the led is to remove the battery.

Looking at the battery and battery connectors on the FS-4 I see that there are 4 metal connection parts on the battery but only three connectors sticking out on my FS-4. Can anyone check for me how it looks on there unit?

And are people having problem with the FS-4 running hot quickly when attached with firewire to a Mac?

TIA

Erwin.

David Mesloh · October 9th, 2005, 11:49 PM

Most of the threads seem to be about the FS-4. I have the FS-3 and have been using it with the XL-2. Will I be able to upgrade the FS-3 for use with the
Canon HD-1?

Doyle Keeton · October 20th, 2005, 01:08 PM

I need to pause a FS-1 with GPI. I need a cable with a push button. Any thoughts?
Doyle

Bob Irwin · November 4th, 2005, 12:56 PM

Anyone heard what the release date is on this yet? Matt?

Joe Moulins · November 8th, 2005, 03:34 PM

Has anyone ordered and received their hd upgrade yet? We ordered one October 27 and still haven't received it. Email enquiries to Focus have bounced back.

Chris C. Corfield · January 9th, 2006, 09:35 PM

Does anyone here have an Equinox Pro Pak 8 housing? If so would an FS-4 fit inside on the housing. I will have the rear mount LCD so the cameras LCD will be folded in.

Thanks
Chris

Colin McFadden · February 25th, 2006, 07:54 PM

So, I'm still waiting on my Firestores (Focus has shipped me the wrong products twice now ...), but I'm wondering how people are mounting the Firestore on their XL-H1. I know I can use the mount kit to put it in the hotshoe, but is it possible to secure it to the accessory holder as well?

Thanks!

Matt Gottshalk · March 1st, 2006, 08:01 PM

I have a FS-3 that I have been using with my Sony DSR-500 DVCam.

It has worked VERY well up until tonite, when I was packing for a shoot and doing an equipment test, My camera would flash the "warning" light when the FS-3 was attached and powered up, both with AC power or a battery.

If I took the FS-3 off and just powered the camera normally via the AC or battery everything looks fine.

Any ideas on how to resolve this?

July 20th, 2005, 07:53 PM	#16
Frank Dago New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8	How to upgrade FS4 from 40GB to 80GB ? I have opened the case and find the connection is very delicate and my question is what is the proper way to remove the connector (tools or hand)?

July 21st, 2005, 08:40 PM	#17
Frank Dago New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8	FS4 Noisy Fan Is it ok to unplug the fan ? As it is way too loud even after FWare upgrade.

July 26th, 2005, 07:09 PM	#18
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Clear/Soft Protective Plastic on FS-4 Does anyone know where I can get some of the clear/soft plastic protective sheeting that come on the Firestore from the factory? Like to keep the face in good shape as much as possible while being handled in the field

August 4th, 2005, 02:20 PM	#19
Ray Liffen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Carshalton, Surrey, UK Posts: 34	Mounting the FS-4 on a camcorder For early adopters, here's a way that costs UK £8.99 (about US$14?). Early adopters got the FS-4 holster as part of the package. The holster is threaded to take a tripod screw. Buy the Hama Shoe Mount (£8.99 from Keene www.keene.co.uk ) which takes you from tripod threaded screw to camcorder hot shoe. The Shoe Mount has two knurled locking nuts so the Mount can be locked to the holster and then to the camera once clipped into the hot shoe. Used directly, the FS-4 will lie flat, and parallel to the camera body, but I generally use an L-bracket so the FS-4 will stand vertically (easier to check the blue screen) Ray Liffen

August 22nd, 2005, 02:52 PM	#20
Rick Sutter Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3	TC with FS-4? I have looked a few places in my manual and online and not sure if I am able to capture the TC when I use my FS-4 and my TRV900 camera. Is this possible or is time code only available with the Pro FS-4's?

September 1st, 2005, 09:44 PM	#21
Mark Whittle Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bunbury, Western Australia Posts: 153	Inconsistent start up Yesterday was my biggest shoot with the FS-4 so far after several shorter shoots. I use it with an XL1s and roll tape as a backup. There are two issues concerning me. The first is sometimes the unit doesn't power up, causing a significant delay while everyone waits for me to try again. I don't know whether it is me holding the button down for too long (or not long enough), or my unit has an intermittent fault. Secondly, when it does power up, sometimes it is in the right mode (synchro slave) and ready to go, in which case the cam VF indicates [STOP] mode. Other times, the camera indicates the FS-4 isn't ready and when I go through the menu on the FS-4 it is back on local mode. I always power up the cam first as recommended so I don't know why this happens. It causes many annoying delays and also I end up recording shots on tape that don't make it onto FS-4. Yesterday I was waiting for chickens to hatch and missed the "money shot" due to this. The other major issue (I'm sorry, this makes 3) is the battery life. I wouldn't be so worried about power up/down problems if the battery would last. I know a longer life battery is now available but for those of us who have the holder mounted to our cameras, this holder won't accommodate the bigger battery. May I suggest that a bigger holder be made and supplied with the bigger battery when purchased by those of us who bought the field kit? __________________ MW

September 25th, 2005, 11:03 AM	#22
Chris Frisella New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6	FS-4 24p PROBLEM please help I use my FS-4 (not pro) with an XL2, and edit in FCP 4.5. When I record to 'Quicktime 24p' roughly the last 10 seconds of video becomes corrupt or something. They play back as a checkerboard of many different colors. The audio still plays through, it's just the video that's messed. Anyone else experience this? Any known fixes? Thanks Chris Last edited by Chris Frisella; September 25th, 2005 at 09:03 PM.

September 28th, 2005, 02:45 PM	#23
Erwin van Doorne New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 17	FS-4 some problems There's a strange bug in my FS-4. The charge light is always on when a battery is attached. It shines in orange-red and the only way to stop the led is to remove the battery. Looking at the battery and battery connectors on the FS-4 I see that there are 4 metal connection parts on the battery but only three connectors sticking out on my FS-4. Can anyone check for me how it looks on there unit? And are people having problem with the FS-4 running hot quickly when attached with firewire to a Mac? TIA Erwin.

October 9th, 2005, 11:49 PM	#24
David Mesloh Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	FS-3 support Most of the threads seem to be about the FS-4. I have the FS-3 and have been using it with the XL-2. Will I be able to upgrade the FS-3 for use with the Canon HD-1?

October 20th, 2005, 01:08 PM	#25
Doyle Keeton New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 9	GPI for FS-1 I need to pause a FS-1 with GPI. I need a cable with a push button. Any thoughts? Doyle

November 4th, 2005, 12:56 PM	#26
Bob Irwin New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 5	FS-2E and FS-2 software update Anyone heard what the release date is on this yet? Matt?

November 8th, 2005, 03:34 PM	#27
Joe Moulins New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Anyone used FS-4 HD upgrade yet? Has anyone ordered and received their hd upgrade yet? We ordered one October 27 and still haven't received it. Email enquiries to Focus have bounced back.

January 9th, 2006, 09:35 PM	#28
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Underwater housing Does anyone here have an Equinox Pro Pak 8 housing? If so would an FS-4 fit inside on the housing. I will have the rear mount LCD so the cameras LCD will be folded in. Thanks Chris

February 25th, 2006, 07:54 PM	#29
Colin McFadden Sponsor: divergent media Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 201	Mounting FS4Pro on XL-H1? So, I'm still waiting on my Firestores (Focus has shipped me the wrong products twice now ...), but I'm wondering how people are mounting the Firestore on their XL-H1. I know I can use the mount kit to put it in the hotshoe, but is it possible to secure it to the accessory holder as well? Thanks! __________________ Divergent Media Support www.divergentmedia.com

March 1st, 2006, 08:01 PM	#30
Matt Gottshalk Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Posts: 215	Firestore FS-3 problems I have a FS-3 that I have been using with my Sony DSR-500 DVCam. It has worked VERY well up until tonite, when I was packing for a shoot and doing an equipment test, My camera would flash the "warning" light when the FS-3 was attached and powered up, both with AC power or a battery. If I took the FS-3 off and just powered the camera normally via the AC or battery everything looks fine. Any ideas on how to resolve this?